work-life balance

Dancing With the Stars professional dancer Peta Murgatroyd recently opened up about her feelings regarding expanding her family with husband Maksim Chmerkovskiy. In an exclusive interview, Murgatroyd, 38, expressed her belief that their family is likely complete, stating, “I would feel guilty” if they welcomed another child. The couple currently has three sons: Shai, 8, Rio, nearly 2, and Milan, 11 months. While Chmerkovskiy has shared his desire to be a “girl dad” someday, Murgatroyd feels that adding another child would stretch her too thin. “I think it’s fair to say [I’m done], yeah,” she told Us Weekly while promoting her self-tanning line, Peta Jane Beauty. “I think my body, just doing the back-to-back with the two babies, it was a lot — not just physically, but mentally.” Murgatroyd has been candid about her struggles with infertility after the birth of Shai in 2017. She revealed that she suffered three miscarriages over two years before undergoing IVF treatments, which led to the births of Rio in June 2023 and Milan in July 2024. Reflecting on her journey, she shared, “When I think back to the pain, the angst, the anger of not being able to keep a baby… it’s funny, I could get pregnant very easily but I kept losing the babies.” Now, as a mother of three, Murgatroyd feels a sense of responsibility to provide her children with the attention they deserve. “I want to be able to give my all to my children, and I feel like, right now, I’m struggling to do that with three,” she explained. “I don’t know how to cut myself into three pieces and give it all to them like I did for Shai for six years.” Her concern is particularly focused on her middle child, Rio, who is very attached to her. “Rio only wants me to hold him,” she admitted. “If I’m in the room, it’s only me.” This dynamic has led Murgatroyd to feel outnumbered, as she balances the needs of her three young sons. Murgatroyd also acknowledged that Shai has noticed a shift in her and Chmerkovskiy’s availability since the arrival of his younger siblings. “He’s a really sensitive child, so he definitely feels everything,” she shared. “I think that he did really feel that, especially when Milan was born.” Despite the chaos of motherhood, Murgatroyd remains grateful for her family. She and Chmerkovskiy have had to make a conscious effort to maintain their relationship amid the demands of parenting. “Maks and I have to find time to be together,” she said. “We’ve really had to sit down and say, ‘I miss you.’” In addition to her family responsibilities, Murgatroyd is also focused on her career. She expressed a desire to return to Dancing With the Stars, stating, “I would love to go back next season if I’m asked.” Balancing work and motherhood can be challenging, but Murgatroyd believes that being fulfilled in her career makes her a better parent. “I’ve always been an advocate of that,” she noted. “I’m not going 12 hours a day. I’m going four or five hours a day and coming back as a better mom.” Murgatroyd’s journey through motherhood and her professional life has been filled with ups and downs, but she remains optimistic about the future. She continues to cherish her family while navigating the complexities of being a working mom. “I cannot wait to snuggle them, feed them, bathe them, and do all the things that come with being a mother,” she said, reflecting on the joys and challenges of her current life. As Murgatroyd looks ahead, she remains committed to her family and career, understanding that each moment is precious. Her story resonates with many parents, especially those balancing the demands of family life with personal aspirations.